NEW research has revealed how storage temperatures impact on meat quality.

Charles Sturt University Master of Philosophy graduate Cassius Coombs’ research evaluated lamb that had been chilled, then frozen for periods of up to one year.

“The experiment examined lamb loins which were stored chilled for up to eight weeks, then frozen for up to one year at two temperatures, -12 deg C and -18 deg C,” Mr Coombs said.

“We measured a number of meat quality parameters including tenderness, juiciness and display colour, along with food safety factors.”

The research was carried out through the Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation in conjunction with the NSW DPI while Mr Coombs was based at the NSW DPI Centre for Red Meat and Sheep Development in Cowra.

“Key findings were that chilled storage improved the quality of meat for up to two weeks, highlighted by a marked increase in tenderness,” Mr Coombs said.

“Overall we concluded that the lamb remained safe and of acceptable eating quality for up to one year frozen storage; and that two weeks chilled storage was the best ageing duration prior to freezing.

“This project aimed to identify storage durations for frozen and chilled meat for export purposes, but it’s hoped the information can be used by the wider industry.”

Mr Coombs’ research was carried out as part of a wider project funded by the Australian Meat Processor Corporation. He was supervised by Graham Centre members Adjunct Professor David Hopkins and Dr Benjamin Holman from NSW DPI at Cowra, and Centre Director Professor Michael Friend.